"That growth rate is absurd."
Within the Fairy Tail world, Rowan Mercer watched his inner universe expand at a visible pace.
Ever since his Mage's Apprentice and Wizarding-world avatars began assimilating new universes, the ripple effects had propagated through every version of himself.
Even when Rowan did nothing at all, his strength continued to climb.
Normally, after reaching a new existential stage, growth would slow dramatically.
Rowan did not have that problem.
Fate, coincidence, or something worse.
Either way, he wasn't complaining.
"Let's hope this one is reasonable too."
He released his perception and began searching for the Fairy Tail world's creator.
Seconds later, Rowan tore open a fissure into the Void.
No surprise there.
"This one's multiversal as well."
Rowan already knew the Fairy Tail setting contained multiple parallel worlds beyond Earth Land alone. That alone implied a creator who operated above a single-universe scale.
And compared to the Wizarding multiverse, this cosmos was far more aggressive.
Magic was denser.
Powerful beings were common.
Gods.
Demons.
Dragons.
Spirits.
On the surface, both multiverses had similar numbers of parallel worlds.
But in terms of overall "weight," the Fairy Tail multiverse was heavier.
Which meant its creator was likely stronger.
Rowan had learned an uncomfortable truth.
Among multiversal entities, power was not equal.
Creators were measured not only by their personal strength, but by what they had built.
More worlds meant more weight.
Stronger worlds meant more weight.
Civilizations, life density, and the upper limits of native beings all mattered.
Marvel, with its endless branching universes, represented one extreme.
Other cosmologies achieved similar influence through a single, incomprehensibly vast universe.
Different paths.
Same summit.
"Found you."
In the Void, Rowan located a colossal temple radiating Fairy Tail's distinctive magical signature.
He approached its entrance and spoke calmly.
"My name is Rowan Mercer. I wish to speak with this realm's creator."
The temple doors opened.
"Enter."
The voice carried no warmth.
Rowan stepped inside.
The doors slammed shut behind him.
A wave of rot and death rolled through the hall.
The space sealed itself, forming an invisible cage.
An elderly figure in black robes appeared, gripping a staff carved from something that looked disturbingly organic.
Rowan's eyes narrowed.
Hostility poured off the old man like smoke.
"I was going to wait," the figure said with a crooked grin.
"Let you grow stronger. Let you accumulate more energy."
"Then eat you."
Rowan remained still.
"But you walked straight to my doorstep," the old man continued. "And now you can tear open reality and wander the Void."
"That means you're a risk."
"So you die."
Rowan exhaled slowly.
"Do you know who placed me in your world?"
The old man's smile twisted.
"Of course I do."
"Aurelion."
Hatred flickered in his eyes.
"If not for him, I wouldn't be crippled. I wouldn't be losing control over my own creations."
The old man's voice dropped to a hiss.
"He wandered into my domain long ago. I mistook him for prey."
A dry, bitter laugh.
"I tried to devour him."
Rowan felt a chill.
"I was erased in a single strike," the old man continued. "Body ruined. Soul nearly scattered."
"I spent a month as his slave."
Silence.
"After he left, it took eons just to crawl back from the brink."
The old man's gaze locked onto Rowan.
"You are his gift."
"So consuming you is vengeance."
"And once I do, I'll regain enough strength to move my multiverse somewhere new."
"Somewhere he'll never find me."
Rowan finally understood.
Not every creator feared Aurelion.
Some hated him.
And hatred bred desperation.
Which bred monsters.